Susan Jones is the St. Clare’s Ministries Coordinator for Good Shepherd. She also serves as the Chair of their Board of Directors in 2018.
I restarted my life five years ago. I was divorced after a long marriage, sold my family home, rented a condo, and started a new job all in July 2013. I began my journey to rediscover myself, and I continue on that journey even today. I was fortunate to find Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in November 2013 where I was made to feel welcome from day one by Father Craig and Ann Pounds. Marjie Rogers invited me to join her team in the Altar Guild, and I joined other ministries as well. I was invited to serve at St. Clare’s Ministries in the spring of 2015. I was apprehensive on my first visit because I thought the guests would be sad and angry. Bob Arnott gave me a tour of the facility, and I was assigned to serve rolls with butter to each guest. After my first shift, I was elated and so full of hope. Most of the guests were so very grateful to receive the warm, delicious meal and they told us thank you for the meal. I was hooked that very first shift because helping other folks “fills my bucket”, and so I tried to volunteer each third Tuesday with other parishioners from Good Shepherd. I accepted the invitation to join the St. Clare’s Ministries Board of Directors (SCM BOD) in the fall of 2016, and I am now proud to be the Chair of the SCM BOD in 2018. I volunteer most Tuesday evenings because I have gotten to know a lot of the guests, and I like to check in with them to see how they are doing. Some guests are homeless, some are low-income and some are on a journey to find a job or a home or a loved one. I will share some of their stories in my next article so that you can learn more about the St. Clare’s community.
I invite you to assist in this wonderful ministry in one of three ways.
1. Each month on the third Tuesday evening, Good Shepherd parishioners are invited to staff SCM and serve meals and drinks, wash the dishes, and distribute clean clothing, blankets and toiletries. If you would like to be added to this email list, please send an email to susanjones72013@gmail.com.
2. A hot, three course meal is served every Tuesday evening at St. Clare’s Ministries which serves from The Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Mary at 126 W. 2nd Avenue, Denver, CO 80223. You could sponsor one of the weekly meals for 150 guests for $200. You can make a donation in any amount to St. Clare’s Ministries with a check payable to:
St. Clare’s Ministries
126 West 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80223
3. Your tax deductible donations defray costs for SCM. Over 95% of our guests are men, so at this time, we ask only for men’s clean, gently-used clothing and items. Place your donations in the bin in the parish hall and be sure to complete a donation form including your full name and address so that we can send you a receipt and thank you.
a. Men’s jeans (size 28 – 34 waist)
b. Men’s boxer briefs (M – L)
c. Men’s v-neck or crew-neck undershirt (S-XL)
d. Men’s white or black socks
e. Rain gear, jackets, coats
f. Hats, ball caps
g. Shoes, boots – especially steel-toe boots
h. Backpacks, blankets, sleeping bags
i. Personal size toiletries – sunscreen, deodorant, toothbrushes/toothpaste
Thank you for your past donations, prayers, and assistance for the St. Clare’s guests. And let me know if you want to help with our efforts to offer a respite, clothing, meal, and worship service for the homeless or low-income community in the Baker neighborhood.